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Discover the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources in Arkansas

Located in Smackover, Arkansas, the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources offers visitors an immersive look at the state’s oil, brine, and timber industries that helped shape Arkansas’s economy. This interactive Industrial Heritage & Energy Museum Tour explores the history of the 1920s oil boom, early drilling technology, and the development of natural resource extraction in South Arkansas. Guests can walk through historic buildings, see restored drilling equipment, and engage with multimedia exhibits.
Why it’s special: The museum preserves the story of the Smackover Oil Boom, one of the most transformative industrial events in Arkansas history.

History & Story of the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources

The Smackover Oil Boom began in the early 1920s, rapidly transforming the small town into a bustling energy hub. Oil production brought economic opportunity and reshaped the region’s infrastructure and workforce. The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources was established to preserve artifacts, oral histories, and equipment from this era while also interpreting the broader impact of oil, brine, and timber industries across the state.

What You’ll See & Do at the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources

Explore interactive exhibits on oil drilling and refining
View historic derricks and restored industrial equipment
Learn about brine production and timber harvesting
Walk through a recreated 1920s oil boomtown streetscape
Watch short educational films about Arkansas’s energy history

Hands-On Elements: Interactive displays and educational stations suitable for all ages.
Photo/Video Policy: Photography allowed throughout museum exhibits and outdoor displays.
Souvenirs & Extras: Museum gift shop offering educational books, Arkansas-themed merchandise, and souvenirs.

Pricing of the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources

Adult price: $0 per adult (free)
Admission to the museum is free.

Visiting information

Duration: 90–120 minutes
Age limits: All ages welcome
Accessibility: Fully accessible indoor galleries; outdoor areas may have uneven surfaces
Working hours: Open Wednesday–Saturday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sunday–Tuesday Closed.

Nearby

Smackover Oil Field Historic District
El Dorado Historic Downtown District
South Arkansas Arboretum

FAQs About Visiting the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources

What was the Smackover Oil Boom?
It was a major oil discovery in the 1920s that dramatically transformed the region’s economy and population.

Is this museum suitable for children?
Yes. Interactive exhibits and multimedia displays make it family-friendly and educational.

Is admission really free?
Yes. The museum offers free admission to all visitors.

Does the museum cover industries beyond oil?
Yes. Exhibits also interpret brine production, timber harvesting, and other natural resource industries.

Are the outdoor derricks original equipment?
Some displayed equipment is restored historic machinery representative of early oil operations.